Most people make decisions with little to no regard for others. They may consider the implications on their family but very little else. People make decisions and come to convictions based on their personal feelings and desires. However, we, as Christians, have been called to something greater. God calls us to live for His glory.
Because our view of God impacts how we view life, each believer must develop a biblical view of God. For many of us, our view of God is too small. We falsely think that we worship a God who is not in complete control but is simply doing the best He can. Perhaps we even falsely believe that man’s sin causes God to allow things to happen because He can’t stop the decisions that people make. Yet, examining Scripture, we come to a most glorious conclusion. God is greater than anything we could imagine. Nothing is beyond his control. He is working everything for His glory and our good.
In a classic sermon, S. M. Lockridge gave a memorable description of God we would do well to contemplate. Here is a portion of what he said:
David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.
He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King.
He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes, and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent, and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King.[1]
That’s your God! How can we fail to live for the glory of this Great King? The amazing byproduct is that we find fulfillment when we live for God’s glory. We accomplish our created purpose and discover that life begins to work the way God designed it to work. Even when life seems to fall apart from a human perspective, we live with fulfillment because Christ holds us fast in our relationship with Him.
As you make decisions and come to convictions in your life, it is vital that you consider God’s glory. You must think beyond yourself and your desires. You must consider more than your present comfort and ease. You must contemplate what God thinks about the issue. And you must do all to the glory of God. So, as you make decisions and come to convictions in your life, ask, “Does this bring glory to God?” “Does this make God look as good as He really is?” If the answer is “no,” don’t do it. If the answer is “yes,” then we consider the final principle.
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[1]Lockridge, S. M. “That’s My King! Do You Know Him?”, RPM Ministries, https://rpmministries.org/2009/12/thats-my-king-do-you-know-him/ accessed: 8/20/2024